OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 19, 2000
Locke names former lawmaker, health reformer to DSHS helm
OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today named Dennis Braddock, a former
state lawmaker and health-care reformer from Seattle, to lead the state
Department of Social and Health Services.
"I can`t tell you how pleased I am to bring Dennis Braddock into my
cabinet as secretary of DSHS," the governor said.
"I know him well from our days together in the Legislature. I have
always admired his passion for helping the less fortunate, first as a
health care reformer seeking fair access to health care, and now as the
leader of the agency that protects the abused, the disabled, our elders
and those who need financial assistance.
"I also am counting on Dennis` deep understanding of health care
systems to help us as we struggle with one of the biggest budget problems
facing state government today - the rising cost of health care as a
percentage of social services spending," the governor said.
Braddock, who replaces retiring Secretary Lyle Quasim, said he was
equally pleased to take the job.
"I think too many of us have forgotten how important social services
are to the economic well-being of everyone," Braddock said. "It is DSHS
that helps people get back on their feet, and into productive lives and
productive jobs. Think what it would be like for all of us if there were
no place for these people to go for help."
Braddock added, "I think we have tended to forget in recent years
that DSHS is the front line in this state for social justice. The people
who work for DSHS are the people who give refugees a hand up; who
understand and work everyday with poverty; with the abused, with the
disabled and with our senior citizens.
"I`m happy to be here, and I`m really looking forward to the
challenge," he said.
In appointing the 56-year-old Braddock, the governor noted his long
legislative record as a leader and champion for a health care system
accessible to all people.
Locke also said he was impressed with Braddock`s work in recent
years as the founder of a community-based health plan that served
low-income Washington citizens. Braddock only a few months ago stepped
down as chief of executive officer of the Community Health Plan of
Washington and the Community Health Network of Washington.
"And let`s not forget Dennis` personal commitment and compassion for
people. I don`t know too many people who would do what Dennis did when he
donated a kidney to a friend in need three years ago," the governor said.
Locke was referring to Braddock`s 1997 decision to submit to an
operation and donate a kidney to a gravely ill friend, Carlos Oliveras,
head of the Migrant Health Center in Yakima.
Braddock won the Distinguished Flying Cross and other combat
decorations as an Army helicopter pilot, serving in Vietnam for part of
his 1969-72 year enlistment. Braddock also served a two-year stint in the
Peace Corps in East Pakistan as a rural public works project planner from
1963 to 1965.
Braddock founded an environmental consulting firm in 1973. He
served on the Bellingham City Council from 1974 to 1982, and in the state
House of Representatives from 1983 to 1992, where he served as chairman of
the House Health Care Committee.
Braddock was among leaders who crafted much of the state`s health
care reform legislation, including creation of the Basic Health Plan for
the working poor and several protections for health insurance consumers.
He has a bachelor`s degree in political science from Washington
State University, and has performed graduate work in environmental
planning and public administration at Western Washington University.
He has published several studies and presentations on health care,
and received numerous awards and honors for his work in the health care
field.
The position will carry an annual salary of $126,563, effective July
1.
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